TIED TO THE BRAIN: YO-YO'S MINDFUL BENEFITS

Ummi Nadiah Rosli

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- You can spin it down, sideways, and even
upwards - with a multitude of intricate tricks to show-off your skills.

No longer seen as a simple child’s play, the yo-yo first popularized in
the 1920’s, has steadily made its comeback to the fingers of Malaysian children
and adults over the past few years.

Whether it’s designed from plastic, wood, or metal, the yo-yo has come a
long way from being a nostalgic toy to fast gaining a worldwide reputation as a
true sport.

And while we remember ‘yo-yoing’ during our childhood, not many have been
aware that beyond the travels of the yo-yo to the bottom of the string and its
return to the hand, throwing one is actually good for the brain.

BRAINY BOOST

Clinical Psychologist Dr Mat Saat Baki explained that yo-yoing is more
than merely unwinding and grabbing a string attached to an axle.

Playing the yo-yo uses both the left and right brain functions," he said.

In general, information is processed in different ways by the left and right
hemispheres of our brain, in which we tend to process information using our
dominant side.

"There are 4 main brain processes involved in yoyoing, which are
concentration, eye-hand coordination, creativity and manual dexterity", he said.

Similarly to a game like chess, concentration or focus is a process that is
greatly utilised while yoyoing. When one concentrates on the yoyo, the left side
of the brain, also associated with rational thinking is dominant.

Along with focusing his/her attention on the yo-yo, a yo-yo player can
successfully manuever his tricks accordingly due to the left brain that also
processes in a linear, sequential, and logical manner.

At the same time, the right side of the brain which is connected more with
openness to experience and more intuitive ways of doing things is responsible
for creativity.

Dr Baki stated, "Yo-yoing requires the player to learn new skills and
tricks. Yo-yo players are known for their regular exchange of new tricks. This
reflects how the right brain is being utilised."

He added that yo-yoing may also improve one's academic performance, as the
learning and thinking process is enhanced when both sides of the brain engages
in a balanced manner.

NEW SPIN ON A CHILDHOOD FAVORITE

One can argue that the charm of the yo-yo lies in just how simple and fun it
is to play, even for those with butterfingers.

Vice-President of the Malaysian Yo-Yo Club, M-Yo, Raymond Thian, aged 25,
stated that the popularity of the yo-yo has surged, and the 5 year-old club
currently has more than 200 registered members nationwide, with 700 active
internet members.

Met at the recent Malaysian Yo-Yo Championships 2009 organised by M-Yo,
Raymond said "Our youngest member is 4 years old, the oldest being 50. We have
seen keen interest expressed mostly by those in primary and high schools.
Yoyoing is a skill that practically anyone can learn and master."

With a starter kit of a professional yo-yo starting from RM20, he emphasised
that yo-yoing was an affordable and healthy sport for the masses.

For those who wanted to splurge on their yo-yo, they can opt for
top-of-the-line yo-yo sets for professional players and competitors, as well as
some of the most expensive yo-yo ever produced made from magnesium, silicone
nitride or rare materials that can go up to RM1000.

Raymond, who works as a graphic designer was also quick to concur on
yo-yoing's benefits.

"To carry out basic to intricate tricks like 'Walk the dog', 'rock the baby'
and 'sky rocket' requires coordination in controling the speed and force of the
yo-yo, and the change of motion which even incorporates acrobatics.

We need more effort to encourage children and teenagers to take an active
interest in the sport, to make it more mainstream and keep the sport alive."

A CREDIBLE SPORT

Equipped with white gloves, flaming red shoes, and a glitzy blue yo-yo in
hand, 23-year old Muhammad Shakeel Mohd Rose looks every bit the yo-yo star that
he is.

Winner of the Single A, Off-String 4A and Counter-Weight 5A categories at
this year's Malaysian Yo-Yo Championships, Shakeel was also placed 3rd best
Asian yo-yo player in 2006 and 2008.

He will represent Malaysia again at the Asia Pacific Yo-Yo Championship to
take place later this year in Singapore, and winners will go on to compete at
the World Yo-yo championships in Orlando, USA, next year.

He is an expert in the off-string technique (where string is not tied
directly to the yo-yo's axle, released into the air and attempting to catch it
on the string) and freehand tricks (yo-yo is used with a counterweight on the
other end of the string rather than having it attached to a finger.)

Shakeel trains 4 to 5 hours daily taking a few month to master complex
routines, often impressing judges with his signature trick, the ‘electronic fan’
where the yo-yo is not attached to finger, and instead moves with the dice.

"I picked up the yo-yo 8 years ago and it has really improved my technical
skills, creativity and mental consistency. I find it easier to concentrate on my
work as I bring it to the office. It's a great way to handle stress too" he
quipped.

With a grin everytime he successfully spins and grabs his yo-yo, 8 year-old
Timothy Kenneth Ming Hui Chong ranks yo-yoing as his favorite sport along with
football and badminton.

"I like to play the yo-yo because it requires skills. I have been playing
for 4 months now and it teaches me to have quick hand response and I get to
learn many tricks to show my friends."

With new tricks up their sleeves, amateur and professional yo-yo players in
the country hope that more people will see yoyo-ing as a dynamic sport - for
both brain and brawn.

-- BERNAMA